The Faith to Flourish

When we look back on our lives, most of us can recall that defining moment when God spoke into our hearts His calling. We heard and responded with, "Yes, Lord, I will follow You."

That decision may have been made fairly recently for some and in childhood for others. Perhaps, the Lord spoke into your heart as a teenager and you have followed Him ever since.

Maybe your life was one of rebellion and heartache as you attempted to outrun the grace of God, thinking your plan was better. It took you a while to admit you needed Him or to believe you were somehow worthy of his love after the life you lived.

Whatever the case, here we all are today. We meet here because we have one thing in common; we have children or loved ones who are running from His grace.

No, make that two things in common. We meet here because we all believe God's grace will make a way for them to come out of the darkness that holds them captive. It will make a way back to His light.

Chosen by God

Before we were born, God chose us. Before our family members were born, He chose them. Our husbands, our children, our parents, our sisters and brothers, our grandparents, He chose each of them and called them to Himself.

As a child I was called, while still in my mother's womb. Each of us was called before birth to become a child of God. We did absolutely nothing to earn His favor, but we were precious to Him. He wanted relationship with us. He called us by name.

"Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke‬ ‭15:11-13 NIV‬

I have never been comfortable with the idea of letting go of my children for any reason; addiction is no exception. Even though they are adults and making grown-up decisions for their lives, the advice to let them go and allow them to hit their rock bottom shakes me to the core.

Ask any mother the hardest decision they've had to make regarding their struggling child. They will most often say it was the "letting go". The same holds true for wives, sisters, and grandmothers. It's in our nature to cling, to hold on tightly.

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke‬ ‭15:20 NIV

There is nothing like the sweetness of an embrace. It is especially sweet when the years and miles have separated you from that special someone for far too long.

The story of the prodigal son has been close to my heart over the last twelve years as both of my sons chose to go their own way and rebel and, as a result, struggled with addiction.

The young man in this story was given every opportunity to have a good life but thought his way was better, so off he ran to enjoy a life of partying and squandering everything his father had worked hard to give him.

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Zechariah‬ ‭10:1‬ ‭NIV‬

Many of you reading this may have children or loved ones struggling with addiction. Some as wayward and rebellious. This lifestyle has led them to make terrible choices, some have had devastating consequences. Many of you are wives whose marriages are falling apart, perhaps due to a husband who is caught up in sin and has walked out.

Your worn out. Your faith is weak. Understandable, but God has a plan waiting to be revealed. Now is not the time to grow weary or give up.

"Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬

Under Attack

When the enemy heats up, don't add fuel to the fire.

A few weeks ago, I experienced a very real and vivid spiritual attack from the enemy in the middle of the night. Now, let’s face it. None of us is exempt from these attacks.

The Faith To Flourish

The Faith to Flourish is a heart-filled ministry founded by dynamic teacher and author Dawn R. Ward for women with loved ones who struggle with addiction. As the mother, child and wife of addiction, Dawn gives refreshing experience and life-changing insight into how to flourish in the desert of a life changed by addiction.

Hi, I’m Dawn.

A few facts about me.

I love Jesus, my family, and my dogs…I really love my dogs.

I was born in a small town in South Dakota with less than 1000 people, and less than that now!

Favorite drink: Grande Americano- hot with just a shot of half and half.

I am obsessed with the Hallmark channel, especially at Christmas time.

There are not too many bad moods a good piece of dark chocolate can’t fix.

I can be a little O.C.D. Okay, a lot O.C.D! Everything has its place!

I love pretty skin…that’s why I made a career out of taking care of it for people.

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